The Detroit Pistons have some key matchups coming up, including a rematch of last year’s playoff series against the New York Knicks, and they’ll have to do so without two members of their starting front court.
Veteran forward Tobias Harris (hip) and star center Jalen Duren (ankle) are not making the trip with the team to play the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday due to their injuries, the Pistons announced Saturday.
Harris, 33, will be re-evaluated due to a left hip sprain suffered against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday and Duren, 22, will be re-evaluated in one week due to a right ankle sprain he picked up on Thursday against the Miami Heat.
While it certainly seems like both Haris and Duren avoided serious injuries this week, it will mean the Pistons won’t have two of the key members of their front court as they begin a six-game home stand after returning from Cleveland on Monday.
In his second year with the Pistons, the 14-year veteran Harris is averaging 13.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 23 starts.
For Duren, this continues a growing history of ankle injuries — having already missed games this season due to an ankle issue and numerous ankle injuries over his first four seasons — that’s affecting a true breakout season for the former 13th overall pick.
This season Duren is averaging a career-best 17.9 points per game with 10.6 rebounds and nearly a block per game as he leads Detroit’s post offense.
Without the pair for at least the next week, the Pistons will need to rely heavily on their depth players in the front court, led by reigning Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month Isaiah Stewart, Ron Holland and Paul Reed.
If Detroit needs some added size, two-way player Tolu Smith could be an option for the next few games. He’s only appeared in two games this season for the Pistons, but is averaging 16.8 points and 10.4 rebounds for the G League affiliate Motor City Cruise.
Veteran wing Caris LeVert also won’t make the trip to Cleveland due to his ongoing right knee inflammation, something he’s been managing since October.
LeVert is considered to day-to-day, having not played since Dec. 28 against the Los Angeles Clippers. The 10-year veteran is averaging 8.4 points and 2.8 assists per game in just over 20 minutes per appearance.